On-Chip Redundancy High-Reliable System and Method of Controlling the Same

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to improve reliably of an on-chip redundancy system by preventing influence of a physical failure exerted on an entire semiconductor chip. A comparator measure for comparing outputs of an on-chip redundancy system is mounted on a semiconductor chip different from the on-chip redundancy system. The another semiconductor chip is, preferably, mounted on a semiconductor chip on which a power source circuit for supplying power to the on-chip redundancy system redundantly having the comparing function in the chip, a driver circuit for driving an output circuit, and the like are mounted. With the configuration, the influence of a failure occurring in the on-chip redundancy system can be prevented from being exerted on the comparator measure.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/389,194, filed Feb. 19, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a semiconductor redundancy system having high reliability and, more particularly, to an on-chip redundancy high-reliable system using function blocks such as microprocessors or hard logic circuits provided redundantly in semiconductor chips.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the technical fields requiring systems such as aerospace systems, railroad systems, and vehicles of high safety, conventionally, higher reliability of a system is widely achieved by redundantly disposing a spare system as a backup. In particular, the integration degree of a semiconductor in a semiconductor integrated circuit is increasing in recent years. A function block circuit of a system level can be mounted on a semiconductor chip by a system on-chip method. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H06-161798, a system redundantly provided with a plurality of function blocks can be realized in a single semiconductor chip. A method of constructing a redundant system in a semiconductor chip is an extremely excellent technique realizing reduction in size and weight of a built-in system, shortening signal delay time in a high-performance system, and improvement in performance.

In the conventional techniques, a physical damage such as breaking or crack occurs in a semiconductor chip by a heat cycle applied to the semiconductor chip under severe heat environment of, for example, −40 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees. It is therefore indispensable to consider a countermeasure for a failure exerting influence on an entire semiconductor chip. In a conventional method of assuring a normal state by comparing outputs of systems redundantly provided, since a comparator measure for detecting a failure is mounted in the semiconductor chip in which the redundant systems are also provided, the operation in the case where the influence of a failure is exerted on the comparator measure cannot be assured. In the case where a processor module and a comparator are formed in different chips like in the patent publication, the conventional technique cannot achieve high-speed process which is presently being demanded.

An object of the present invention is to improve reliability of an on-chip redundancy system mounted on a semiconductor chip by preventing influence of a failure from being exerted on an entire semiconductor chip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENITON

To achieve the object, according to the present invention, a comparator measure for comparing outputs of an on-chip redundancy system is mounted on another semiconductor chip different from the on-chip redundancy system. In this case, existing peripheral circuits indispensable to the redundancy system and the comparator measure are mounted on the same chip. The existing peripheral circuits are a power source circuit, a driver circuit for driving various output circuits, and the like. Many of the peripheral circuits are originally provided on another chip for the system. Without increasing the number of new chips, the influence of a failure to the comparator measure is prevented.

In the case where a failure is detected by the comparator measure, power supply to the redundancy system is stopped, or a reset signal or an NMI (non-maskable interrupt) signal is transmitted to the redundancy system, thereby stopping the operation of the redundancy system and assuring safety.

According to the present invention, by constructing the redundancy system and the comparator measure on different chips, the influence of a failure exerted on the entire semiconductor chip is prevented, and reliability of the on-chip redundancy system can be increased. By mounting a comparator measure in a second semiconductor chip having existing peripheral circuits in the system, without increasing the number of chips, the reliability of the on-chip redundancy system can be increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment in which a comparator measure and a power source circuit are mounted on the same semiconductor chip.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment in which a comparator measure and a driver circuit are mounted on the same semiconductor chip.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of driving a charge pump by an output of the comparator measure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment in which the comparator measure and a power semiconductor are mounted on the same chip.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a first pattern of the comparator measure.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a second pattern of the comparator measure.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a third pattern of the comparator measure.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a fourth pattern of the comparator measure.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment related to application of a comparison result to a system output.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a seventh embodiment related to application of a comparison result to a system output.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an eighth embodiment related to application of a comparison result to a system output.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a ninth embodiment related to application of a comparison result to a system output.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a tenth embodiment in which bare chips are mounted on a wiring substrate.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an eleventh embodiment of the invention in which a comparator measure is provided for a semiconductor chip having a redundancy system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention, however, is not limited to the embodiments.

(First Embodiment)

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. Microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 redundantly provided as function blocks are mounted in a first semiconductor chip 2. A comparator measure 10 for comparing outputs 21-1 and 21-2 of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 is mounted in a second semiconductor chip 1 different from the semiconductor chip 2. As functional blocks, in place of the microprocessors in FIG. 1, hard logic circuits such as an FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) circuit and a digital filter can be also mounted.

(Second Embodiment)

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment in which the comparator measure 10 is mounted in a power source circuit semiconductor chip 3 having a power source circuit 30 and a watch dog timer 31 (WDT) provided as output control means. The watch dog timer 31 has output control means. In the case where a survival notification does not arrive from at least one of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 for predetermined time or longer, the watch dog timer 31 regards it as a failure in the microprocessor 20-1 or 20-2 and outputs a reset signal 32 to stop the operation of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2. Alternatively, the watch dog timer 31 outputs an NMI (Non-Maskable Interrupt) signal 33 to start a failure handling routine, makes the microprocessor recover from a recoverable point, and maintains the system and an object to be controlled in a safe state.

In the embodiment, the comparator measure 10 also has the function of output control means. The comparator measure 10 compares outputs 21-1 and 21-2 of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 and, in the case where a comparison result 19 indicates a failure, similarly outputs the reset signal 32 or the NMI (Non-Maskable Interrupt) signal 33 to stop the operation of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2, or makes the microprocessors recover, and maintains the system and an object to be controlled in a safe state.

(Third Embodiment)

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment in which the comparator measure 10 is mounted on a driver circuit semiconductor chip 4 having a pre-driver 41 as a driver circuit. The comparator measure 10 compares the outputs 21-1 and 21-2 of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2. In the case where the comparison result 19 indicates a failure, the comparator measure 10 stops the operation of the pre-driver 41 and maintains the system and an object to be controlled in a safe state. Reference numeral 49 denotes an output of the pre-driver 41, and reference numeral 5 indicates an inverter as an object to be controlled.

(Fourth Embodiment)

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment in which the driver circuit semiconductor chip 4 on which the comparator measure 10 is mounted further includes a charge pump 42 as a booster circuit . The comparator measure 10 compares the outputs 21-1 and 21-2 of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2. In the case where the comparison result 19 indicates a failure, the comparator measure 10 stops the operation of the charge pump 42 to thereby stop the operation of the pre-driver 41, and maintains the system and an object to be controlled in a safe state.

As shown in FIG. 4, an alternating signal is used as the comparison result 19 from the comparator measure 10. By driving the charge pump 42 by the alternating signal, even in the case where an output fix failure (a failure in which output is fixed to L or H) of the comparison result 19 occurs, the operation of the charge pump 42 can be securely stopped and the operation of the driver IC 4 can be stopped.

By making the outputs 21-1 and 21-2 of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 match and mismatch every predetermined cycles, the comparison result 19 from the comparator measure 10 repeats the values of H and L every predetermined cycles which become alternating signals. In this case, when the outputs 21-1 and 21-2 of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 match, the comparison result 19 from the comparator measure 10 is set as an H output. When the outputs 21-1 and 21-2 do not match, the comparison result 19 is set as an L output.

The charge pump 42 converts direct current to alternate current by switching operation, rectifies the alternate current, and performs operation of converting the current to direct current having a higher voltage. In the embodiment, the switching operation is performed on the basis of the comparison result 19. Consequently, in the case where an output fix failure of the comparison result 19 from the comparatormeasure 10 occurs, the comparison result 19 is fixed to H or L, and the operation of the charge pump 42 stops. As a result, supply of the high-voltage power supply power is stopped to securely stop the operation of the pre-driver 41. The system and an object to be controlled can be maintained in a safe state.

(Fifth Embodiment)

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment in which the comparator measure 10 is provided for a power semiconductor element semiconductor chip 6 including a power semiconductor element 61 for driving a load and an actuator. In this case as well, the comparator measure 10 functions as output control means, compares the outputs 21-1 and 21-2 of the microprocessor 20-1 and 20-2, in the case where the comparison result 19 indicates a failure, stops operation of the power semiconductor element 61, and maintains the system and an object to be controlled in a safe state.

Further, the power semiconductor element 61 can prevent itself from being destroyed by erroneous operation of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2. The actuator driven by the power semiconductor element 61 may be a motor 8, a solenoid, a main power relay for supply power to an output stage, or an output relay for intermittently supplying drive current from the output circuit to the actuator (or a phase current relay in motor control).

FIGS. 6 to 9 show, as modifications, various patterns of the comparator measure 10. FIG. 6 shows, as a modification, a first pattern of the comparator measure for comparing the outputs 21-1 and 21-2 of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 by a comparator 11. The modification is preferable for the reason that the same process is executed in the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 and results of the process are compared with each other, thereby assuring a normal state. The comparator 11 is, desirably, a self -checking-type comparator capable of detecting a failure of the comparator itself.

FIG. 7 shows a second pattern of computing the outputs 21-1 and 21-2 of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 by a computing unit 12 and comparing the result of the computation with a constant 13 by the comparator 11. The computing unit 12 may computes four arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, exclusive OR, or the like. The modification is suitable for the reason that the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 give each other questions for obtaining a variable which becomes a constant when a predetermined operation is performed on a given value. When the result is correct, the normal state is assured.

FIG. 8 shows a third pattern of computing one of the outputs 21-1 and 21-2 of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 with the constant 13 by the computing unit 12, and comparing the result of computation with the other one of the outputs 21-1 and 21-2 by the comparator 11. The modification is suitable for the reason that the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 give each other questions for obtaining a variable which becomes a given value when a predetermined operation is performed on a constant, and assure a normal state when the result is correct.

FIG. 9 shows a fourth pattern of executing computation of the outputs 21-1 and 21-2 of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 with constants 13 and 13′ by computing units 12 and 12′, and comparing the results by the comparator 11. The modification is suitable for the reason that the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 give each other questions for obtaining a variable which becomes a value derived by performing a predetermined operation on a given value and a constant and a predetermined computation, and assure a normal state when the result is correct. The modification is also effective to the case of performing a peculiar operation to identify each of outputs of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 or performing an operation with a peculiar signature.

(Sixth Embodiment)

FIG. 10 shows a sixth embodiment related to application of the comparison result 19 of the comparator measure 10 obtained by comparing the outputs 21-1 and 21-2 of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 , to the control on the microprocessors. An output 22 from any of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 included in the semiconductor chip 2 passes through a switch 23 as interrupting means which is controlled on the basis of the comparison result 19, and becomes an output 24. When the comparison result 19 indicates a normal state, the switch 23 is closed, and the output 22 becomes the output 24. When the comparison result 19 indicates a failure state, the switch 23 is opened, and the output 24 stops. In the embodiment, when a failure occurs in the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2, the output 24 is stopped, and the system and an object to be controlled can be maintained in a safe state.

(Seventh Embodiment)

FIG. 11 shows a seventh embodiment of controlling a motor 600 by an inverter 30 . In the seventh embodiment, a logic switch 2 is controlled by the comparison result 19 of the comparator measure 10 to intermittently supply a drive signal to the inverter 55 as an actuator. On the basis of the comparison result 19, the power is intermittently supplied to the inverter 55 by a relay 50, or drive current is intermittently supplied from the inverter 55 to the motor 600 by a relay 60. In the seventh embodiment, in the case where a failure occurs in the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2, the motor 600 is stopped by some safety mechanisms, and the system and an object to be controlled can be maintained in a safe state more reliably.

(Eighth Embodiment)

FIG. 12 shows an eighth embodiment of a redundant circuit having a double-chip configuration. An output 22 from any of the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2 included in the semiconductor chip 2 and an output 22′ of microprocessors 20-1′ and 20-2′ included in another semiconductor chip 2′ are switched by a switch 26 as selecting means which is controlled on the basis of the comparison result 19 of the comparator measure 10, and the selected output is set as the output 24.

In the eighth embodiment, in the case where a failure occurs in the microprocessors 20-1 and 20-2, the operation of the system and an object to be controlled can be maintained using the output 22′ of the microprocessors 20-1′ and 20-2′.

(Ninth Embodiment)

As shown in a ninth embodiment of FIG. 13, the switch 26 can be controlled by using not only the comparison result 19 but also a comparison result 19′ obtained by comparing outputs 21-1′ and 21-2′ of the microprocessors 20-1′ and 20-2′ by a comparator measure 10′.

(Tenth Embodiment)

FIG. 14 shows a tenth embodiment of mounting, as bare chips, a semiconductor chip 1 including a comparator measure and a semiconductor chip 2 including a redundant microprocessor on a wiring substrate 8. In the tenth embodiment, both prevention of spread of a failure between the semiconductor chip 1 and the semiconductor chip 2 including the redundant microprocessor, and reduction in size and weight can be realized. Since the semiconductor chips 1 and 2 are bare chips, they are protected by interrupting air by not-shown hermetic sealing, transfer mold, gel filling, or the like so that they do not come into contact with air and are not oxidized or do not absorb moisture, and their characteristics do not deteriorate.

(Eleventh Embodiment)

FIG. 15 shows an eleventh embodiment of providing the comparator measure 10 in the semiconductor chip 1 and further providing a second comparator 70 for the semiconductor chip 2. In the embodiment, as a local failure in the chip, detection of a failure following high-speed operation of the microprocessor can be realized by the second comparator measure 70. Further, a unique effect of the present invention that the influence spreading to the whole can be prevented by the comparator measure 10 provided for the semiconductor chip 1 is obtained.

The following describes the other embodiments available to the invention.

(Supplementary note 1)

A method of controlling an on-chip redundancy highly-reliable system comprising:

at least two function blocks having the same function and redundantly provided in a first semiconductor chip;

a comparator measure for comparing outputs of the function blocks in a second semiconductor chip;

at least two function blocks having the same function as that of the function blocks of the first semiconductor chip and redundantly provided in a third semiconductor chip;

a comparator measure for comparing outputs of the function blocks in the third semiconductor chip and provided in a fourth semiconductor chip; and

selecting means for selecting, as an output of the system, either a first output from the function blocks in the first semiconductor chip or a second output from the function blocks in the third semiconductor chip,

wherein either an output of the first semiconductor chip or an output of the third semiconductor chip which matches an output of the function blocks is selected by the selecting means and is output.

(Supplementary note 2)

The on-chip redundancy highly-reliable system according to any of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the first and second semiconductor chips are mounted on a wiring substrate, and the first and second chips and the wiring substrate are sealed in a package.

(Supplementary note 3)

The on-chip redundancy highly-reliable system according to any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a second comparator measure for comparing outputs of the plurality of function blocks and provided in the first semiconductor chip. 

1. Anon-chip redundancy highly-reliable system comprising: at least two function blocks having the same function and redundantly provided in a first semiconductor chip; and a comparator measure for comparing outputs of the function blocks and provided in a second semiconductor chip. 